Amazon Leadership Principles: Complete Interview Guide 2026

Amazon's 16 Leadership Principles: Complete Interview Guide 2026

Amazon's interview process is uniquely built around their 16 Leadership Principles (LPs). Every interview question maps to 1-2 LPs. Here's how to prepare STAR stories for each one.

The 16 Leadership Principles

1. Customer Obsession — Start with the customer and work backwards
2. Ownership — Think long-term, never say "that's not my job"
3. Invent and Simplify — Innovate and find ways to simplify
4. Are Right, A Lot — Good judgment, seek diverse perspectives
5. Learn and Be Curious — Never stop learning
6. Hire and Develop the Best — Raise the performance bar
7. Insist on the Highest Standards — Relentlessly high standards
8. Think Big — Bold direction that inspires results
9. Bias for Action — Speed matters, calculated risk-taking
10. Frugality — Accomplish more with less
11. Earn Trust — Listen attentively, speak candidly
12. Dive Deep — Stay connected to the details
13. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit — Challenge then commit
14. Deliver Results — Focus on key inputs, deliver with quality
15. Strive to be Earth's Best Employer — Safe, productive environment
16. Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility — Be better every day

How to Prepare Your Stories

Create 2-3 STAR stories for each LP. Each story should map to 2-3 principles. AissenceAI's behavioral interview practice scores your stories against specific LPs.

During the Interview

Amazon's "bar raiser" round is the hardest — an interviewer from another team who holds a high bar. AissenceAI's AI copilot helps you quickly identify which LP the question targets and suggests your best matching STAR story.